The Squatter On The Resource Frontier

Abstract

The resource frontier is defined as beyond the agricultural fringe in Western Canada and on the Shield in the East. Five categories termed insular, partite, arterial, periferal and bush squatters, create problems for government and the local population in health, hygiene, education, forest-fire control, poaching, pollution, etc. These squatters are natives and Euro-Canadians attracted by seasonal employment and without adequate housing. There is little control over the erection of structures, and conflict between unregulated settlement and community planning. There are few data on the origin, numbers, and location of squatters, on attitudes towards their relocation and on techniques of handling them.